Hens wont stop fighting

[The Birb King]

Yokie Jr is one of my oldest hens around 8 years old, and she goes broody a LOT. I recently gave her 13 chicks to raise, and kept mom and babies separate from the flock for the first few weeks. The chicks are over 3 weeks old now so a few days ago I moved them back into the flock. Originally Yokie Jr was towards the middle of the pecking order, but ever since I moved her back she has been much more aggressive and insists to be at the top. She has challenged almost every hen above her (except for the polish since she's scared of them for some reason) and most of the time, she's won! Except for one hen..... Indigo was my first Lavender Ameraucana hen I got, and her and Yokie Jr have been fighting non stop these past few days, neither one wants to give up. They are both about the same size. I feel like they should've figured it out by now but they just have not. Their faces are starting to get beat up and bloody, and I'm not really sure what to do at this point. I may try to separate Indigo in with my 2 month old chicks since I know she won't fight with them, but she will have to go back to that flock eventually.

 

[Debbie292d]

I presume Yokie is being overprotective of her chicks. Usually removing the aggressor for a week resets the pecking order. It sounds like your plan is for the best.

Next time, have you considered just letting your hen hatch eggs in the coop along with the rest of them? Our rooster helps protect them and all the hens know just to stay away from them. That way there's no "introductions" needed, they're all just used to each other from day one.

 

[The Birb King]

I presume Yokie is being overprotective of her chicks. Usually removing the aggressor for a week resets the pecking order. It sounds like your plan is for the best.

Next time, have you considered just letting your hen hatch eggs in the coop along with the rest of them? Our rooster helps protect them and all the hens know just to stay away from them. That way there's no "introductions" needed, they're all just used to each other from day one.

I could I guess. I just feel better about seperating them for a few weeks since newborn chicks are so fragile. She also likes to nest in a high nest box where newborn chicks can't get in and out. I do sometimes let them hatch eggs in the coop, but it kinda causes a lot of problems so I've found its just better to hatch them in an incubator and then give them to the hen.

 

[Debbie292d]

I could I guess. I just feel better about seperating them for a few weeks since newborn chicks are so fragile. She also likes to nest in a high nest box where newborn chicks can't get in and out

Our nest boxes are high too, so what I did is take a cardboard box out there, sit it on its side on the floor, put in some fresh hay, and set chick crumbles and water out front. Then after hers all hatch, or all the ones we think will hatch, we move her and her chicks and unhatched eggs to the box on the floor. The chicks can go in and out and mom can finish sitting on any eggs.

I also remove the layer feed from the adult feeder and put the chick crumbles in there. I set out oyster shell in a dish for the hens as they'll have higher protein, but be short on calcium from it. Roosters will be great on the chick feed.

 

[Hungry Chicken]

I presume Yokie is being overprotective of her chicks. Usually removing the aggressor for a week resets the pecking order. It sounds like your plan is for the best.

Next time, have you considered just letting your hen hatch eggs in the coop along with the rest of them? Our rooster helps protect them and all the hens know just to stay away from them. That way there's no "introductions" needed, they're all just used to each other from day one.

Agree, probably Yokie thinks the only way to keep her chicks safe is by being at the top

 

[The Birb King]

Agree, probably Yokie thinks the only way to keep her chicks safe is by being at the top

They really don't mess with the chicks though. Plus Yokie also refuses to fight some like the polish for some resson

 

[Hungry Chicken]

They really don't mess with the chicks though. Plus Yokie also refuses to fight some like the polish for some resson

I think she might just be trying to eliminate nonexistent threats then... maybe the polish just look too intimidating in her eyes or not worth a fight